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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 13, 2024


The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will be offering low-cost adult bike classes in April, May and June. The classes will include Learn to Ride and Basic Skills classes. MCDOT also will offer four free, walk-up electric scooter classes following select bike classes.


Advance registration is required to participate in the bicycle classes, with a cost of $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) orCapital Bikeshare For Allmembers. However, registration is still required.  


Bicycles and helmets will be provided at no charge for the adult Learn to Ride class participants and can be rented from WABA, if needed, for the Basic Skills class participants. E-scooter classes are free of charge. 


“More people are riding bikes for recreation, exercise, or as a form of transportation,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Biking is a lot of fun, a great family activity and good for the environment as an alternative to using a motor vehicle. However, it is important to learn how to bike safely and responsibly. I encourage residents to take advantage of these low-cost bike classes and appreciate MCDOT’s efforts to offer them.” 


Participants in the Learn to Ride bicycle classes will learn how to start and stop, balance, glide, pedal and steer a bike. Each student will progress at their own pace. Students in the Basic Skills class should be able to ride a bicycle and will continue to practice basic biking skills. The classes will be led by experienced WABA instructors. 


The classes are open to residents 18 and over, are limited to 25 people and fill up quickly. 


Online registrationis currently open for April classes on the WABA website under the Classes tab. Registration for May classes will open at 9 a.m. on Monday, March. 25, and June class registration will open at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 29. 


Adult Learn to Ride Bike classschedule: 


Adult Basic Skills Bike Classschedule: 


Rain dates for all the adult bike and e-scooter classes will be one week after the original class date and time, except for the April 6 class (that rain date will be April 20). 


Free two-hour adult e-scooter classes are being offered on a drop-in basis on four select days immediately following the bike classes on April 21, May 5, May 18 and June 23. E-scooter classes do not require pre-registration. Anyone 18 or over with a valid driver’s license or ID can join. E-scooters are provided. 


Montgomery County features a total of 112 miles of bike lanes, bike-friendly road shoulders and separated bike lanes, also known as cycle tracks, for bike riders to enjoy countywide. MCDOT installed the first eight miles of the County’s separated bike lanes in 2014 and is continuing to build more throughout the County. Multipleprotected bike lane projectsare currently in the planning and construction phases.  


“We have seen a great demand for adult bike classes,” said Chris Conklin, director of MCDOT. “Over the past year, we have added four additional bike classes at two new locations. Since 2021, more than 680 residents have registered for these trainings. We expect this interest to continue to grow. We are actively expanding our protected bike lanes in Bethesda and Downtown Silver Spring that seamlessly connect these two locations. We are also working to expand the separated bike lane network in North Bethesda, with projects that will improve access to Metro and other destinations.” 


To register for the bike classes, visitwaba.org/classes. For more information, and to view any future inclement weather cancellations, visit MCDOT’s websitehereor call 240-777-8380. 


For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, X, FacebookandInstagramandsubscribeto MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter, Instagramandsubscribeto MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter. 


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Release ID: 24-123
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta 240-372-2282
Categories: Transportation